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Solar power is more prevalent and affordable in the United States than ever before. “Since 2008, U.S. installations have grown seventeen-fold from 1.2 gigawatts (GW) to an estimated 30 GW today. This is enough capacity to power the equivalent of 5.7 million average American homes.” Energy.Gov, Solar Energy in the United States. Incentives for consumers and businesses to implement solar power vary from state to state. In Massachusetts, the governor recently signed into law An Act Relative to Solar Energy, and its implementing regulations by the Department of Public Utilities have been adopted. Under the new law, the value of solar net-metering credits will decrease significantly and a new monthly minimum reliability charge for net-metering customers is authorized. Pursuant to the new regulations, new solar net metering facilities will be eligible for credits equal to 60% rather than the former 100%, of the net excess kilowatt hours measured under a specified formula. This means that new solar facilities, unless exempt, will be eligible for significantly lower financial incentives than under the old system.
Energy laws, and solar energy laws in particular, are complex and evolving. If you are involved in or interested in investing in a solar power facility in any state, consult with your Ally Law member firm attorney to assure compliance with evolving laws, and to take the laws into account in determining financial benefits in any such endeavor. Ally Law member firms have departments of attorneys practicing in energy law and financial transactions. For more information about Ally Law member firm services in this area, contact us at team@ally-law.com.
Click here for the original article by Eric J. Krathwohl and Jonathan Goldberg of Ally Law member firm Rich May, P.C.
